Workaround for Project Updates in HFM

[billford]

I got fed up editing ProjectInfo.tab, especially when an un-noticed typo stopped HFM working! So I dreamed up a workaround which others might find useful and I'd appreciate any suggestions for improvement. Use at your own risk, but it seems OK so far.


1) In your browser open the psummary page of your choice (I use psummaryC) and save it as a text (HTML) file. In Chromium that's File => Save Page As, select the "Webpage, complete" format option.

2) Use your favourite editor to remove all <tr class=xxxx> … </tr> blocks containing a "NaN" and Save. It's easier if the editor understands HTML and can indent/format the lines; I use TextWrangler. Good idea to open this file in your browser to check it looks OK.

3) In HFM, go to the "Web Settings" tab in the Preferences pane and change the "Project Download url" entry to point to the above file. (I used the full "file:///C:/Users/ etc " url format; it may not be necessary, I didn't check). OK out and quit HFM.

4) In your …/AppData/Roaming/HFM folder, rename the ProjectInfo.tab file to something else (so you can recover it in case of disaster!)

5) Restart HFM- it should create a new ProjectInfo.tab from the HTML file and continue happily.

When new projects are announced, simply create a new HTML file as above and HFM should automatically get the new details when a client gets a previously "unknown" project. Not yet tested.



Obviously it's not ideal, it depends how assiduously you keep track of new projects in the Announcements section. But that's no different to now, it should make life easier when several new projects are introduced simultaneously and you don't have to worry about typos!

[bollix47]

Thanks Bill, this worked for me.

I didn't rename ProjectInfo.tab but did copy it for backup.

I used Firefox to save the Project Summary page as D:/newprogs/Folding@home%20Projects%20Summary.htm.

I used notepad++ to remove the NAN records. I suspect this could be done from the command line using grep but an appropriate editor does make it easy.

I then put my file name file:///D:/newprogs/Folding@home%20Projects%20Summary.htm in the Project Download url clicked on OK even though the address went yellow and HFM didn't seem to like it. I then clicked on Tools > Download Projects from Stanford.

ProjectInfo.tab did update correctly.

I did not want to completely create a new file as I had information in the old file that I didn't want to lose.

[billford]

... even though the address went yellow and HFM didn't seem to like it.

I didn't get that... but one thing I didn't mention was that I renamed the file to just ProjInfo.html, maybe HFM wasn't sure about the @ or the %20's in the filename?

I wondered about trying to script it, but my skills in that area are more than a little rusty and I decided it would probably cause me more trouble than it would save!

[toTOW]

If you don't want to bother with all the editing part, you can point HFM to http://87.98.172.206/psummary_manu.htm

This is hosted on my server and manually updated, so I don't know how often I'll update it. Let me know if something important is missing and I'll update it.

[PS3EdOlkkola]

Thanks toTOW, works great

[billford]

Good idea toTOW and thanks, but intending no disrespect I'll stick to my local file.

That way, if it isn't updated in a timely fashion I can swear all I like at the culprit without fear of repercussions

[toTOW]

I have 5 HFM to update at various locations ... that's why it's easier to publish the file to my server

[billford]

I have 5 HFM to update at various locations ... that's why it's easier to publish the file to my server

I said it was a good idea, now I see it's even better than I thought

[JimF]

I have 5 HFM to update at various locations ... that's why it's easier to publish the file to my server

I said it was a good idea, now I see it's even better than I thought

It is great to see you and toTOW doing something about it, and in less time than it takes to excuse it.

[msgclb]

I used the notepad that’s in Win 8.1.
The “file:///C:/Users/.etc” created an empty file but then I tried “file://C:/Users/.etc” and HFM created a new ProjectInfo.tab.

[toTOW]

File updated on my server. New project : p9852.

[billford]

You've probably done this already, but a hint for anyone using their own local file- if there are only a few new projects, rather than downloading the page and editing out all those NaN blocks it's easier to View Source in your browser and copy/paste the relevant section(s) into the existing local file.

[toTOW]

If you don't know what the changes are, it's quicker find and remove the NaNs ...

[billford]

That's true... it does rather assume that the announcement is accurate and complete (which it usually is).

[Grandpa_01]

It's quicker just to put toTOW's link in your HFM web settings and then hit the Download projects from Stanford button in your HFM tool's.

Thanks toTWO although I did change the 9852 points manually before you posted that you had updated it. I am using your link and it is appreciated.